Intro to Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a basic human ability to be completely present, aware of what we're doing and where we're, and not overwhelmed by what's happening around us. Mindfulness is a quality that every human already possesses, and it's not something you have to conjure up but learn how to access it.

Overview

  • Mindfulness is a part of meditation. You can practice it anywhere, anytime
  • It improves your ability to control your emotions, thoughts, and sense of being in the present moment
  • Mindfulness identifies and cultivates the best of who we are as humans
  • Mindfulness is more than just a practice. Everyone can benefit from it, and it's easy to learn mindfulness

Benefits

  • Mindfulness helps improve cognitive ability
  • It slows down brain aging
  • It improves a sense of well-being
  • It reduces stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms
  • It improves the quality of life for people with chronic conditions

Explore Mindfulness Practices

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What is mindfulness?

This meditation program helps cultivate mindfulness by guiding individuals to focus their awareness on the present moment and tune into their senses.
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Why do we need mindfulness?

This meditation program teaches mindfulness, which brings emotional control, reduces stress, anxiety, and depression, and increases self for a happier life.
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How to practice mindfulness?

This program challenges common myths and emphasizes it is simply about focusing on one thing, making it an easy practice to incorporate into daily life.
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A short practice

It's a very simple exercise that brings you to the present moment by focusing on your five senses.
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A long practice

This simple meditation can be repeated any number of times. Count your breaths and listen to the sounds around you to guide you through the process.

Mindfulness and meditation are interrelated, but they are not the same. The difference between these two is:
  • Mindfulness can be practiced anywhere, whereas meditation requires intentional focus
  • Mindfulness can be used in the treatment that doesn't include meditation
  • Mindfulness can be practiced formally and informally
  • Mindfulness is only one aspect of meditation

Some common myths about meditation are:
  • Meditation isn’t working if your mind wanders
  • Meditation is difficult
  • Meditation is a selfish indulgence
  • Meditation will make you weak
  • You must be sitting to meditate
  • Meditation is a religious practice

    • Mindfulness helps reduce blood pressure and manage symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, chronic pain, and the depression that often accompanies it. It boosts the immune system and also treats addiction (substance abuse). Mindfulness has been shown to reduce cortisol, reducing the stress response and the toll it can take on your body.


    Many people become frustrated with mindfulness because they still focus on expectations rather than seeing how things are. These people have misunderstood what mindfulness is and are instead mistaking their deep-rooted beliefs as clear seeing.


    The significant components of mindfulness are breathing, attention, and curiosity. Attention means focusing on our physical sensations, thoughts, emotions, breath, and surroundings.


    Overview Benefits
    Intro to Mindfulness
    Intro to Mindfulness
    An introduction to mindfulness and simple meditations to get you started.